The Eagles have never lost a season opener under Nick Sirianni, going 5-0 in five attempts. Martin Frank, the Eagles beat writer for Delawareonline.com, does not see that changing when Philadelphia hosts the Washington Commanders on Sept. 13 at Lincoln Financial Field. "The Eagles might lose an opener one day, but it won't be to the Commanders," Frank wrote in his prediction. He pointed to a healthy offensive line and a Commanders front that is "in shambles" as the deciding factors. His pick: Eagles 27, Commanders 16.
The game marks the first real look at a significantly altered Eagles operation. The team traded away wide receiver A.J. Brown, leaving DeVonta Smith as the only returning starter at the position. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has kept the playbook under wraps through training camp and the preseason, and the Eagles return 10 of 11 starters on offense but plan to use them differently. Whether that translates to immediate production remains the central question of the opener.
The defense, widely considered among the NFL's best, is expected to carry the early load. Tom McGurk, sports editor at Courierpostonline.com, predicts the Eagles will sack Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels five times and force five turnovers. He expects Jalen Hurts to have "some ups and downs" but sees wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks emerging as a reliable target in key moments. McGurk's pick: Eagles 26, Commanders 16.
Kevin Tresolini, a college sports reporter for Delawareonline.com, was less convinced by the offense after watching the preseason. "The preseason did nothing to stir confidence in the Eagles' revamped offense," he wrote, though he noted the personnel exists to improve. He leaned on the defense to secure a narrow win. His pick: Eagles 23, Commanders 20.
The last meeting between these teams was the regular-season finale in January, a game Sirianni jokingly called the "Week Off Bowl" after resting his starters. The Commanders were wrapping up a 5-12 season, and Daniels had already been shut down with an elbow injury. Many of the players on Washington's defense have since been replaced. Bob Jordan, sports editor at app.com, referenced that context in his prediction: Eagles 30, Commanders 14.
Tom Moore, a sports columnist at Phillyburbs.com, expects the Eagles to improve to 6-0 in openers under Sirianni but warned it could be close. His pick: Eagles 26, Commanders 20. Tom Haines of Pennsylvania state planning also anticipates a tight contest, writing that the offense will look "ugly at times" before Saquon Barkley grinds out key yardage behind a reasonably healthy line. His pick: Eagles 20, Commanders 16.
Greg Giesen, sports strategist at Delawareonline.com, framed the opener as a test of whether the Eagles are ready for the national spotlight, noting the game is Fox's NFL Game of the Week. He questioned whether Daniels can replicate his rookie form but concluded Philadelphia's offensive weapons should be enough at home. His pick: Eagles 24, Commanders 17.
Bert Bainbridge, a sports betting analyst and columnist at Northjersey.com, offered the most lopsided prediction of the group. He called for a "convincing three-score win" against "Jayden 'No. 5' Daniels and the Commanders." His pick: Eagles 31, Commanders 13. He also projected a 10-7 regular season, predicting a strong start aided by a home-heavy first-half schedule before tougher matchups against the Steelers, Seahawks and Texans slow the team's momentum.
Brandon Holveck, a high school sports reporter for Delawareonline.com, connected the opener to the team's recent pattern of reaching the Super Bowl one year and failing to win a playoff game the next. He wrote that Hurts has said the Eagles need to break that cycle and predicted another slow start before securing a third straight NFC East title. His pick: Eagles 20, Commanders 10. He went further than most, projecting a 12-5 season that ends with a Super Bowl win over the Denver Broncos.
Frank, meanwhile, sees the season ending in the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams. He predicted an 11-6 record. McGurk also has the Eagles losing to the Rams, but in the divisional round with a 12-5 mark. Tresolini and Tom Rimback of Courierpostonline.com both have the Eagles reaching the divisional round, with Tresolini projecting a loss to the Rams and Rimback's prediction cut off in the source material.
According to Yahoo Sports.